Mayville, North Dakota
is one of Mayville’s pioneers. He came to that area two years before the town started even though he was born in America of Norwegian parents on May 25, 1858. His birthplace can only be guessed at approximately because his parents, Gunbjorn Reiersen and Astrid Ligarden, drove a team of oxen from Rush County, Wisconsin near Beloit to look for land in Iowa, and on the the third day of the journey he did materialise as a new world citizen. He settled in Worth County where the took a homestead and lived until his death. His parents left Norway in the spring of 1853 on the sailing ship "Hekla ". It was a 13 week voyage. One son was born at sea. His name is Halvor Reiersen and he lives in Worth County, Iowa. His father died in 1898 and his mother died in 1901.
He left Worth County in May of 1879 and started for Traill County North Dakota with his team. He arrived here in June and took a homestead twelve miles from Mayville. He began a machinery business together with his brother who died in 1885. He was in the business alone until 1894 and then he ended it and has since had the land , real estate and insurance business.
His wife, Gro Dalseid, was also born in America of Norwegian parents. Her father came from Bergen and her mother from Hallingdal. They have two daughters . One is married to Dr. Froyne in Parshell, North Dakota and the other goes to school in Menonomie, Wisconsin
Source: Norwegians and Norwegian Homes in America by Hans Jervell - 1916 - Page 176